Steam trap



Uct. 28 1924.

L. D. GOFF STEAM TRAP Filed April 23. 1923 M F 0 m Patented Get. 28,1924.

warren s'r TES LEONARD 1). sort, or THREE RIVERS, vucniean, ASSIGNOB,'ro ARMSTRONG MACHINE WORKS, or THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

STEAM TRAP.

Application filed Ap1i123, 1923. Serial No. 634,000.

T ad Z whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD D. Gory, a citizen of the United States,residing at Three Rivers, county of St. Joseph, State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in- Steam Traps, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates-to improvements in steam traps. I

The object of the invention is to provide an improved thermostatic meansfor insuring the rapid and free discharge of both air and water from thetrap.

A specific object is to provide an improved thermostatically controlledmeans for supplementing the action of such steam trap.

Objects pertaining to detailsand economies of construction and operationwill definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of the invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisapplication, in which:

Fig. I is a vertical detail sectional view taken on a line correspondingto line 1-1. of Fig. II through a steam trap embodying the features ofmy invention, the inverted cup float being shown in full lines. The viewis taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends ofthe section lines.

Fig. II is a detail plan view of the structure, the valve of the trapbeing shown in open position.

Fig. III is a detail view of the invention as applied to a somewhatdifferent form of steam trap.

Fig. IV is a detail view of the invention as applied to the ball cocktype of steam trap.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

The parts of the drawing will be designated by their numerals ofreference. 1 is the main casing having the cover 2 secured thereto bysuitable means having the inlet 3 and the discharge 4. 5 is the floathaving a small vent 51 in the top and pivoted at 52 to thermic metalhasbecome heated and distorted to such an extent as to lift the hook out ofengagement. The thermostatic metal is a metal made up of layers of sheetmetal or material having different coeflicients of expansionso that thesame distorts under the action of heat. 7 From this description it willbe seen that the action of the float is secured by the flowing into thesame from the inlet 3 of water or steam, as the case may be. When steamenters to a predetermined extent the float rises and is maintained inelevated position and the valve 6 is closed against its seat 61.

When the float, shown in'Figs. I and II, becomes weighted by the entryof water and the condensation and escape of steam it, of course,'dropsdown and opens the valve and remains in that position until the water isdischarged and steam enters the float again. This is the normal actionof such a structure and by the introduction of the thermostatic metalhook 9 the float is held in the depressed position until steam or hotwater enters, no matter whether the water or air is being displaced, andwhen steam or hot water enters the temperature at once rises and thehook 9 is disengaged by the movement of the thermostatic metal to theposi tion indicated by dotted lines. The float then rises. The valve isclosed and the steam is trapped.

In the modified structure illustrated in Fig. III a diflerent design oftrap is shown having an outer case 11 with top 12, inlet 13 anddischarge 14:, and float 15 pivoted at 151. This float or bucket is openat the top and is operated and depressed by the entrance of water whichis discharged from the interior of the float through the outlet 14through the outlet valve 16 controlled. by any suitable connection tothe float 15. The thermostatic hook 17 with its engaging end 19 issecured at 18 within the case, as seen in Fig. III. When in this engagedposition the float cannot rise and water necessarily flows over into thesame and is discharged through the outlet 14. When steam enters,however, the thermostatic metal at once hecomes heated and deflected totheposition indicated by dotted lines and the action of. the floatand'its control of the valve ispe'rmitted.

In the modified structure of Fig. a ball trap style of steam trap isshown. The thermostatic hook 20 is secured by screwQl to the case and isdisposed to coact to cooperate With'the eatch 22'secured to the ballvalve float 23. Its operation clearly *appears. The hook is deflected tothe dotted position by heat, and the float is permitted to act andfunction when'warm steam enters.

It is thus seen that the trap will not'op- 'erate to shut ofl eithercold air or Water but Will only trap steam which is-of' sufi'icientl-yhigh temperature to affect'the ther- 'mostatic metal.

It is clear from What I have stated that this thermostatic metalhook'could beintroduced into any style of steam trap and-hold the floatin depressed position until steam or hot Water enters the trap when it"would be released and the operation of the fl'oa-t would be permittedto control the Valve, and

Where the same is used as a steam trap it will only trap steam.

Having thus described my invention, what 'I claim "as-new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: p

1. In a steam-trap, thecombination"of a mamc'as1ng, anoutlet valvetherefor, a float "connected to said valve adapted to rise and fall andopen the valve when Water is'pres ent, a thermostatic metal catchconnection for 'holdingsaid float until deflected by the heat coactingasspecified.

2; In'a'steam trap,s the combination of :1

main casing, an outlet valve therefor, a float connected to said'valveand adapted to rise and fall and-openthe'valve when water is ipresent ahook'ofthermostatie metal'to engage said float valve means to suppressthe actionthereof"until deflected by the heat.

"In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

LEONARD D. GOFF. [11. s]

